POLICE are investigating an incident near Callington in which a horse was severely lacerated and had to be put down.

The incident occurred sometime between 6pm last Friday and 10am the next day.

The nine-year-old mare, an ex-racehorse and family pet, suffered a severe laceration to the rear of its left leg between the hoof and fetlock. Due to the severity of the injury, the horse had to be destroyed at the scene.

Acting sergeant at Callington Julian Collison said the owner had checked the horse in the field in the early evening as normal but in the morning it had a severe wound which had gone right through to the tendon.

There was nothing in the field that would have caused this injury, said the officer, and the conclusion was that it had been done deliberately.

The field was detached from the farm and police are asking people who witnessed anything suspicious in the area or around horses in general to contact them on the 101 number, quoting the crime reference BN/12/627.

Earlier this month the mane was cut off a horse in South Hill Road but officers have no reason to believe these incidents are connected.

Owners of horses in the local area are encouraged to check their horses and to report any unusual incidents.